disabled people Malaysia – Page 34 – Peter Tan

BEAT’s Meeting With Dato’ Seri Chan Kong Choy, Minister of Transport Malaysia

Dato’ Seri Chan Kong Choy, Minister of Transport, set up a meeting between the officials from the Ministry of Transport, public transport operators and BEAT to discuss about the various issues faced by disabled persons in Malaysia where mobility is concerned. The meeting was held at the Ministry’s office in Putrajaya at 12.00pm just now. Among the transport operators represented in the meeting were Rapid KL, Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Keretapi Tanah Melayu, Malaysia Airports, KL Sentral and Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan.

The Minister announced that Deputy Secretary-General (Planning) Long See Wool will head a committee and set up meetings between transport operators and BEAT to resolve issues regarding public transportation. We were also informed that all public transport will be made accessible. This aspect is part of the term of reference for the National Transport Master Plan that will be drawn up after the completion of studies conducted in all capital cities in Malaysia.

BEAT Assistant Coordinator V.Murugeswaran presenting the recommendation to Dato' Seri Chan Kong Choy, Minister of Transport Malaysia

At the end of the meeting, BEAT presented a recommendation to the Minister to make all public transport inclusive. We highlighted that no one should be left out in all future developments of the public transportation system in Malaysia. It is important that the mobility needs of disabled persons be looked into seriously in order provide us equal opportunities education, employment and other acivities.

The Star – December 21, 2006: Disabled get mobility pledge

Parliament
Thursday December 21, 2006

Disabled get mobility pledge

BY ELIZABETH LOOI

THE Government will come up with a long-term plan to provide disabled-friendly public transportation.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, who held an hour’s meeting with representatives from seven organisations of the disabled community, said she would speak to the Transport Ministry and the main public bus concessionaire Rapid KL.

“I am not saying that there will be visible results next year, but we must have a plan,” she said.

“Disabled people must not be forgotten in the transport master plan that the ministry is drawing up now.”

Dr Ng said she had advised the representatives to write to the relevant ministries, including the Cooperatives and Entrepreneurial Development Ministry, which is in charge of commercial vehicles licensing.

She said from the meeting, she learned that the organisations had not been talking to the right people, especially policy makers.

“I understand their frustration but the Government is trying to help them, too,” she said.

Dr Ng said she was confident the Budget next year would include more provisions for the disabled.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar, who was present at the meeting, said he would forward the proposals and ideas from the representatives to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

“We will look into their plight and prepare a long-term solution for them,” he said.

Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan president V. Murugeswaran said the meeting, which was initiated by Dr Ng, was a fruitful discussion.

“We will meet among ourselves to discuss our next course of action but we are grateful that our perseverance has finally paid off,” he said.

The Star – December 5, 2006: Shahrizat: Cater to the needs of the disabled

Shahrizat: Cater to the needs of the disabled

PETALING JAYA: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has called for a “barrier-free” environment to cater to the needs of the disabled community.

She said the ministry would rigorously defend the rights of the disabled.

“The requests for more disabled-friendly public transport facilities should not be taken lightly,” she said in a statement.

“All authorities involved in the handling and provision of, among other things, public transport, recreational parks and buildings must take into account the needs of all members of society, including the disabled.

“It is time that a ‘barrier-free’ environment be realised for the benefit of the whole of society.”

Shahrizat added that the ministry held talks with the Housing and Local Government Ministry in July to discuss the efforts taken to provide access and mobility for the disabled.

She added that a joint working paper between the two ministries was submitted during the national council meeting for local government, chaired by the Prime Minister, on Sept 25.